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Daily news update: Zulu king’s certification unlawful, Gold One miners resurface, SA mourns death of Zahara
Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
In today’s news, the high court declared the recognition decision of Misizulu KaZwelithini as Zulu king was “unlawful and invalid”, Gold One miners resurface after four-day hostage ordeal and alleged Parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe was found by a judge to be unfit to stand trial.
We also look at a couple defying the odds by getting married in hospital, R1.2 million worth of smuggled abalone and diving equipment being recovered in Gqeberha, Jub Jub’s case being postponed to February, and photos of MotoGP rider Brad Binder’s wedding day.
News today: 12 December
High Court rules Zulu king Misizulu KaZwelithini’s certification is unlawful
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ruled that the certification of Misizulu KaZwelithini as Zulu king is unlawful and ordered President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an investigating committee to investigate and report on the matter.
Misizulu had been in a court battle with his half-brother Prince Simakade Zulu – supported by other royal family members – over the lawful recognition of his claim to the Zulu throne.
Gold One miners resurface following hostage situation
Miners at Gold One’s Modder Easter operations in Springs started resurfacing on Monday after four days underground.
According to AFP, some raised their fist in the air as they walked past a security fence near the mine entrance.
More than 400 mineworkers were participating in what is claimed to be a sit-in protest against recent dismissals and a lack of recognition for union Amcu (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union).
‘You healed our souls’ – SA mourns the death of musician Zahara
Multi-award winning musician Bulelwa “Zahara” Mkutukana has died.
Her death was announced by Sports, Arts and Culture minister Zizi Kodwa late on Monday evening.
Alleged Parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe declared not fit to stand trial
Alleged Parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe will not stand trial after the Western Cape High Court ruled he is not fit to do so.
Delivering his judgment on Monday, Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that Mafe’s psychiatric report complied with the Criminal Procedure Act.
Eight suspects, including officials from EC premier’s office, nabbed for alleged fraud
Eight suspects, including high-ranking officials from the Eastern Cape premier’s office, were arrested on Monday for allegations of fraud, forgery, utterance, money laundering, and contravention of Section 86(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, the suspects, aged between 43 and 71, were nabbed during the early hours of Monday in Gauteng.
WATCH: Couple defies odds by getting married in hospital
In an extraordinary display of love and commitment, Godfrey Maboi (49) and Paulinah Mogale (44) exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony in Far East Rand Hospital.
Their journey to marital bliss took an unexpected turn when a car accident on 2 December 2023 led to Maboi’s hospitalisation, putting a halt to their scheduled wedding day.
R1.2 million worth of smuggled abalone and diving equipment seized
Poachers were stopped in their tracks by authorities who seized R1.2 million worth of abalone and diving equipment in Gqeberha.
In a collaborative effort, the Economic Protected Resources (EPR) team of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks in Gqeberha joined forces with Dark Water Operations, the Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), and the South African Police Service Port of Entry.
‘There have been exemptions on sanctions’ – Ntshavheni on PetroSA’s R3.7bn deal with Russia’s Gazprombank
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has suggested there is no risk of sanctions by the West while South Africa maintains its business ties with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ntshavheni was speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Monday.
The minister confirmed that Cabinet received an update on progress with the process to reinstate the Mossel Bay Gas to Liquids (GTL) refinery managed by state-owned entity (SOE), the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA).
Case against Jub Jub postponed to February
The case against rapper and Uyajola 9/9 presenter Molemo Maarohanye, popularly known as Jub Jub, has been postponed to February next year.
The rapper made his appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.
PICS: Inside MotoGP rider Brad Binder’s wedding day
South African MotoGP racer, Brad Binder and his long-time girlfriend, model Courtney Renniers tied the knot this past weekend.
The 2016 Moto3 World Champion proposed to Renniers, who he has been dating since January 2017, on 10 July 2022 at Kambaku River Sands in the Timbavati Game Reserve.
‘There’ll be a new offering in 2024’ – Zoë Modiga after winning Standard Bank Young Artist Award
After winning the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award 2023 as a recipient of the Music award, Zoë Modiga has promised that 2024 will be the year she releases a follow-up to her critically acclaimed album, Inganekwane.
“They’ll be a new offering in 2024, we’ve been working over three years on it and it is a labour of love and a world we are excited to share,” Modiga told The Citizen.
Canadian singer Michael Bublé is coming to South Africa in 2024!
Are you a fan of Michael Bublé? If so, you’ll find this news particularly exciting, as there is an upcoming concert featuring the Canadian singer and songwriter.
Bublé will perform in South Africa in 2024 as part of his Higher Tour, with shows scheduled in Cape Town and Pretoria.
Mokwena takes blame for Sundowns’ Champions League slip-up
Rulani Mokwena has shouldered the blame for Mamelodi Sundowns’ indifferent form in the CAF Champions League following the frustrating goalless draw at home to Pyramids FC on Sunday.
It was the second game in a row that Mokwena’s team failed to find the back of the net in the continental competition after going down 1-0 to DRC giants TP Mazembe a week ago.
To win, the Blitzboks need to hold on to the ball, admits coach Ngcobo
The Blitzboks are a team that are best when they have ball in hand, and that showed a week ago when they triumphed in Dubai, but disappointingly for Springbok Sevens supporters, they could not do the same in Cape Town at the weekend, and paid the price.
That was the blunt assessment of Blitzbok head coach, Sandile Ngcobo, after his side lost their fifth-place playoff to New Zealand and finished a disappointing second day at the HSBC SVNS Cape Town with two defeats.
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